Śani (Sanskrit: शनि,& nbsp;Kannada: ಶನಿŚani,&nbs p;Tamil: சனி,Caṉi), is one of the Navagraha or Jyotiṣa (the nine primary celestial beings in Hindu astrology). Shani is embodied in the planet Saturn and is the Lord ofSaturday. Shani is also known as Śanaiścara(शनैश 381;चर).

The word shani also denotes the seventh day or Saturday in most Indian languages. The wordshani(शनि) comes from Śanayē Kramati Saḥ (शनये क्रमति सः), the one who moves slowly, because Saturn takes about 30 years to revolve around the Sun.

Shani is a deva and son of Surya and his wifeChhaya, hence also known as Chayyaputra. He is the elder brother of Yama, the Hindu god of death, who in some scriptures corresponds to the deliverance of justice. Interestingly, Surya's two sons Shani and Yama judge. Shani gives us the results of one's deeds through one's life through appropriate punishments and rewards; Yama grants the results of one's deeds after death.[1]

It is said that when Shani opened his eyes as a baby for the very first time, the sun went into an eclipse, which clearly denotes the impact of Shani on astrological charts. He is known as the greatest teacher and well wisher for the righteous as well the greatest punisher for those who follow the path of evil, betrayal, backstabbing and unjust revenge. He is depicted dark in colour, clothed in black; holding a sword, arrows and two daggers and mounted on a crow, which is Shani's vāhana. As protector of property, Shani is able to repress the thieving tendencies of birds.

Contents

[

[]Shanaishchara and Emperor Dasharatha

Dasaratha, emperor of Ayodhya, challenged Lord Shanaishchara to a duel as he prepared to cross his empire bringing drought and poverty. Lord Shanaishchara extolled Dasaratha's virtues and replied to him that "I can't skip my duties but I'm pleased with your courage. Great sage Rishyasringa can help you. Wherever Rishyasringa lives, that country will have no drought and dryness." Dasaratha, after receiving the blessings from Lord Shanaishchara, wisely arranged for his daughter to marryRishyasringa so that he is always present in Ayodhya.

[]Prayers, chants, rituals

Shani Deva statue.

According to legend, Shani is a devotee of Lord Shiva. According to the "Navagraha Pidahara Sthothram" of"Brahmanda Purana", the following sthothra relieves the communicant from all the ill effects of Shani:

निलान्जê 4; समाभासं रविपुत्र 06; यमाग्रजम 04;

छायामार् 40;ंड संभूतं तं नमामि शनैश्चरम 05;

nilānjana samābhāsaṁ raviputraṁ yamāgrajama,

chāyāmārtaṁḍa saṁbhūtaṁ taṁ namāmi śanaiścarama.

Or

सूर्य पुत्रो दीर्घ देहो विशालाक् 59;ः शिवप्रिय 07;।

मन्दचारः प्रसन्ना 40;्मा पीडां हरतु मे शनिः ॥

sūrya putro dīrgha deho viśālākṣaḥ śivapriyaḥ,

mandacāraḥ prasannātmā pīḍāṁ haratu me śaniḥ

The Shanaishchara Mantra In Kannada:

ಸೂರ್ಯಪು 236;್ರೋ ದೀರ್ಘದೇಹ 75; ವಿಶಾಲಾಕ್ 55;: ಶಿವಪ್ರಿಯ 03;

ಮಂದಚಾರಃ ಪ್ರಸನ್ನಾ 36;್ಮಾ ಪೀಡಾಂ ಹರತುಮೇ ಶನಿ:

The Shanaishchara Mantra In Telugu:

సుర్యపు 08;్రో దీర్ఘదేహ 47; విశాలాక్ 27;ః శివప్రియ 75;

మంధాచారః ప్రసన్నా 08;్మా పీడం హరతు మీ షనిహ్

The Shanaishchara Mantra In Tamil:

Sangadangal Theerpai Shani Bagavane

Mangalam Ponga Manam Vaitharul Vai

Sacharavindri Saaga neriyil

Icchagam Vaazha Innarul Thaa Thaa

Complete Mantra (संपूर्ण शनी स्तोत्र):

ॐ निलान्जन 50; समाभासं रविपुत्र 06; यमाग्रजम 04;

छायामार् 40;ंड संभूतं तं नमामि शनैश्चरम 05;

ॐ शनैश्वरा 51; नमः॥

सूर्य पुत्रो दीर्घ देहो विशालाक् 59;ः शिवप्रिय 07;।

मन्दचारः प्रसन्ना 40;्मा पीडां हरतु मे शनिः॥

कोणस्थ पिंगलो ब्रभू कृष्णो रौद्रो दंतको यमः।

सौरिः शनैश्वरो मन्दः पिप्पालो 42;्तः संस्तुतः 05;

एतानि दशनामानी प्रातः रुत्थाय य पठेतः।

शनैश्वर कृता पिडा न कदाचित भविष्यती 05;

auṁ nilānjanama samābhāsaṁ raviputraṁ yamāgrajama,

chāyāmārtaṁḍa saṁbhūtaṁ taṁ namāmi śanaiścarama.

auṁ śanaiśvarāya namaḥ.

sūrya putro dīrgha deho viśālākṣaḥ śivapriyaḥ,

mandacāraḥ prasannātmā pīḍāṁ haratu me śaniḥ.

koṇastha piṁgalo brabhū kṛṣṇo raudro daṁtako yamaḥ,

sauriḥ śanaiśvaro mandaḥ pippālodtaḥ saṁstutaḥ.

etāni daśanāmānī prātaḥ rutthāya ya paṭhetaḥ,

śanaiśvara kṛtā piḍā na kadācita bhaviṣyatī.

Pronouncible Chant:

Om Neelaanjanam Sambhasam Raviputram Yamagrajam|

Chayaamartand Sambhootam Tam Namaami Shanaischaram|| (Repeat Twice)

Om Shanaischaraay Namah|| (Repeat Twice)

Surya Putro Dheergh Deho Vishaalaakshah Shivapriyaah|

Mandacharah Prasannaatma Peedam Haratu Mein Shanih|| (Repeat Twice)

KoNasth Pingalo Prabhoo KrushNo Roudro Dantako Yamah|

Sauriah Shanaischaro Mandah Pippaalodatah Samstutah|| (Repeat Twice)

Aetaani Dashanaamaanee Pratah Ruthaay Ya Patethah|

Shanaischar Krutaa Peeda Na Kadaachit Bhavishyati|| (Repeat Twice)

According to the Vedic astrology, the bad effects of Saturn's transit may be mitigated by

Pray to Sree Hanumanji in His Supreme Cosmic Form, which is the form in which he shook Shani Bhagavan off of his back and the form in which he received divine blessings and instructions from Surya, the Sun God.

[edit]Temples and shrines

[edit]Thirunallar Shree Shanaishchara Koil

There are clusters of nine temples/shrines dedicated to the Navagrahas. One such cluster is located near the town Kumbakonam or Mayiladuthurai in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Lord Shani's shrine in this cluster is located at Tirunallar. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Darbaranyesvara, a form of Lord Shiva, in which Lord Shani is located in a niche in a wall. At this temple, Lord Shani is considered to be of benevolent nature. Tirunallar is close to Pondicherry, and is of paramount importance to Shanaishcharan. Millions of devotees visit this place to protect themselves from the effects of the transit of Saturn.

Believers consider Shani so powerful here that when a person who is suffering from Shani dasha comes here takes bath in the Nala Theertha and with their clothes wet goes and has darshan of Sri Shanaishchara, the ill effects which he is suffering through Shani dasha is sure to vanish or at least abate to some extent.

The legendary King Nala is said to have been relieved of his afflictions, which were due to the malefic influence of Saturn, after worship in this temple. Of the numerous tanks theertams, the Nala theertam is the most important one. By bathing here, it is believed that one is washed off all kinds of misfortune and afflictions.

[]Shri Shani Mandir Wagholi Vasai, Maharashtra

Truly Peaceful Place where god can think to reside, as the vastu of this temple is so pure you can feel it immediately as you enter this premises. The Temple is situated at Wagholi area near Nirmal very famous place for ancient Shiva temple; to reach here you can take auto or bus service from Vasai, Virar or Nalasopara Railway Station. For more information you can visit the official blog this temple onhttp://shanimandirwagholi.blogspot.in/. Do visit with your family & friends.

[]Shani Devaalayam in Deonar

This temple called Shree Saneshwara Temple is situated east of the Shivaji statue at the junction of Chembur, Deonar, Govandi on (Mumbai-Pune-Bangalore) Eastern Express Highway. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Shaneeswara: a beautiful, mighty, and imposing seven-foot-tall black statue. sri saneeswralayam, veeranna palem, prakasam (dist), Andhra Pradesh. Many devotees who have Shani Dosham, or people who are passing through Shani maha dasha throng the temple, for doing Tailabhishekam (Tailam means oil in Sanskrit, Telugu and Malayalam).&nbsp ;Nuvvula Nune (inTelugu, Nuvvulu means Sesame; Nune means oil) and Ellenne (in Kannada, Ellu means sesame; enne means oil) is poured with utmost devotion on the head in a manner such that the oil covers the entire idol while flowing down.

Every Saturday evening, as soon as the priest gives Aarti, Lord Shaneeswara is said to descend upon the main priest. All of a sudden, the whole atmosphere in the temple changes. One can see and feel the charged atmosphere in the temple. There after the priest sits on a chair which has a seat made of very sharp, long iron nails pointing upwards. The foot rest and hand rest are also fully fitted with upward facing, sharp long iron nails. He sits on the chair without any discomfort. Thereafter the devotees sit in silence in front of 'swami.' They are asked to bring and keep a pair of yellow lemons in their hands, waiting for their turn. Swami signals one by one by turn, to come near to him. People place the pair of yellow lemon in front of him. He listens patiently to their problems, agony, or distress or whatever they say. Then he explains the reason/cause of their agony/problem/distress. It could be 'Prarabdham', consequences of their past karmas (deeds) which are carried over to present janma, which means "life" in Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. Or as Swami explains, their problems could be the result of actions/deeds of his or her present birth itself. In some cases it could be handy work of Vamachara Tantra (black magic) by their enemies and ill-wishers. There are other types of cases where it is believed that Aatmas (spirits) of the deceased have occupied the sufferer's body causing misery and trouble. 'Swami' listens to them all with apt attention with closed eyes and intent silence and offers them Prakshalana, or "cleansing" Praayaschitam (Sanskrit and Telugu), or "repentance" through procedures such as yagna, pooja, dana, abstinence, etc. Thousands have claimed that their prayers have been answered by "Shaneeswara" through 'Swami'.

In the premises of this Shani temple, navagraha mandapam is also there apart from Hanuman,Jagadeeswara, Saibaba and M ata deities. The Sanctum Sanctorum has a very tall imposing murthy of Lord Shaneeswara along with Jestha Devi. To his left is Hanuman and to his right is Jagadeeswara Swami.

[]Shani Shingnapur

Another important Shrine for Lord Shani is in Maharashtra, India. is located half-way between Shirdi and Aurangabad. The deity here is "Swayambhu" (Sanskrit: self-evolved deity) that is self emerged from earth in form of black but imposing stone. Though no one knows the exact period, it is believed that the Swayambhu Shanaishwara statue was found from times immemorial by shepherds of the then local hamlet. It is believed to be in existence at least since Kali yuga.

The story of the swayambhu statue handed down from generations through word of mouth, goes something like this: When the Shepherd touched the stone with a pointed rod, the stone started bleeding. The shepherds were astounded. Soon the whole village gathered around to watch the miracle. On that night Lord Shanaishwara appeared in the dream of the most devoted and pious of the shepherds.

He told the shepherd that he is "Shanaishwara". He also told that the unique looking black stone is his swayambhu form. The shepherd prayed and asked the lord whether he should construct a temple for him. To this, Lord Shani Mahatma said there is no need for a roof as the whole sky is his roof and he preferred to be under open sky. He asked the shephered to do daily pooja and 'Tailabhisheka' every Saturday without fail. He also promised the whole hamlet will have no fear of dacoits or burglars or thieves.

So, Lord Shanaishwara can be seen even today, in the open yard without any roof above. To this day, there are no doors for any houses, shops, temples. It is to be seen to believe that even post office has no door, not to speak of locks. Due to the fear of Lord Shani, none of the structures, be it dwelling houses, huts, shops, etc. situated within one kilometer radius of this Lord Shani temple have neither doors nor locks. No thievery or burglary ever occurred here in this hamlet called Shani Shingnapur. Some who have tried to steal have died vomiting blood within minutes of their act and before they could cross the boundary. Many others are said have received varied punishments such as long sickness, mental imbalance etc.

This Shani Shingnapur is visited daily by thousands of devotees praying for Lord Shaneswara's favour. The place is busiest on Saturdays. Shani Trayodasi is considered to be a favorite day for the lord. Similarly Saturday falling on 'Amavasya'(new moon day in Sanskrit and many other Indian languages) is considered to be a favorites day for the Lord Shanaishwara. Thousands of devotees seeking his blessings throng this temple in thousands.

[]Sri Shani Temple In Titwla

Template:Undue section Sri Shani Temple in Titwala is situated near Titwala Ganesh Temple and Shri Swamy Samarth Matha. The Prana Pratisthta of this temple was carried out on May 29, 2011. It is constructed by Sri Prahlad Trayambak Kanhore on his own compound. Once he thought of constructing a temple of Lord Shani Temple, but he had no place to build the temple. In a dream Lord Shaneshwara told him to build a temple on your own compound for the well wishers of Lord Shani's devotees.

lord shanishwara temple is located about 5 Kms from Bijinepalli Mandal head quarters which is about 35 Kms away from Mahaboob Nagar. This is the only Shani temple in the country having 7 ½ feet idol of the God. The idol has been istalled along with Jwestha Devi on a vehicle is a very attraction

Delhi

Sri Shani Temple, Baba kharak Singh marg, connaught place, New Delhi

Sri Shani Temple, Chattarpur, New Delhi

Ancient Durga and Shani Temple at Gautam Nagar near Gulmohar Enclave, New Delhi

This is unique and is the only Ksheathram in Kerala dedicated to Lord Shaneedev where he is a blessing God having "Abhayahastham".

Madhya Pradesh

Sri Shani Mandir Tirth, Ujjain

Sri Shani Mandir Juni, Indore

Sri Shani temple in Dist. Morena/Bhind, 27 km from Gwalior

This temple is said to be constructed by Vikrmaditya. Shani Mandir Juni is one of the oldest temples in the world. Temple is located in old city and it is believed it was appeared few decades ago from a well in Juni.

Participate in Times Points program on Speakingtree.in. Get Rewarded: Get points and badges for your activities like create blogs, read articles, create discussion, express your views and many more on Speakingtree.in